The Tea on International Arbitration

In this episode, we talk tea with Claudia Salomon, the first woman President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration in its 100-year history.  We get a glimpse into what it is like to be at the helm of one of the world’s leading and most trusted international arbitration institutions, the ICC’s recent Guide for Disability Inclusion in International Arbitration and ADR, the future of  and challenges facing the ICC, and the importance of authenticity and effective communication in leadership.

In this Tea we indulge in the world of investigations and asset recovery. Ashley Messick, managing director and leader of the London disputes and sovereign debt advisory teams at JS Held, sheds light on what companies like hers do, how investigations and asset recovery work in real life and in practice (and how they should not), and how this field helps parties from the outset determine legal strategy, acquire evidence to win cases, and of course, recover judgments.

So tune in for yet another exciting episode and join our journey as we dive into this world and hear stories and anecdotes from one of the best in the field.

In this episode we talk to thought leaders, Sofia Klot, Orlando Cabrera and Elizabeth Chan, about their organization's proposed guidelines: the Silicon Valley Center’s Proposed Guidelines for the Use of AI in Arbitration. We discuss with drafters of the AI Guidelines the impetus behind the rules, how the public is reacting to them, the hurdles they have faced, the positive feedback they have received, and how they will eventually implement them and put them into practice.

Gaela and Nicole invite Alejandra Parra-Orlandoni, VP of Ethical Innovation & Privacy for the Global Portfolio Division at Takeda, to share her thoughts on AI – specifically Generative AI – its potential upsides, downsides and epistemological implications in the field of international dispute resolution.

A conversation with Adrián Magallanes, Shaparak Saleh, and Lindsey Schmidt, three leading practitioners from Mexico, France, and the United States, about challenges that can arise in the enforcement of international arbitration awards, idiosyncrasies in and differences between jurisdictions, the importance of having a creative and early enforcement plan, and how politics might lend a hand.

Talking Tea and the building blocks of modern day commercial arbitration with the one and only Ann Marie Whitesell. In this episode, we look back on Anne Marie’s illustrious and diverse career and learn how to best navigate and succeed in a career in international arbitration.

Welcome to our 2023 Season. First up: a trailer for 'Sippin' Tea with Prof. Anne Marie Whitesell' to come later this month. This episode will air in conjunction with Georgetown University Law Center's International Arbitration Month, which the D.C.'s Bar's very own 'The Tea on International Arbitration' is proud to sponsor.

Join as we sip tea with Megan Easley and Andrew Mutter and discuss and learn about protecting against potential loss in arbitration. We bet you never knew how exciting and groundbreaking this topic can be, and we promise you will learn something new about this exciting product (which can be used by claimants and respondents alike!).

Join us as we dive into the world of tech, featuring a conversation with Dmitri about his new vision Arbitration City, a community and social platform for arbitration users and fans. In this episode, we also take a trip down memory lane, discuss Dmitri’s career trajectory, and his plans to serve as arbitrator.

Gaela and Nicole share Tea with Meg Kinnear, Vice President of the World Bank Group and Secretary-General of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).  We hear a bit about Meg’s origin story, look back on 13 years at ICSID, and get a taste for what is in store for Meg in the future. We also get answers to burning questions about the new ICSID Rule Amendments, what Meg might do if she had a magic wand, the diversity imperative, and having a sidebar with Elizabeth Warren.

In this episode Nicole and Gaela discuss with International Arbitration counsel and arbitrator Baiju Vasani his recent decision to withdraw from his representation of Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, whether everyone is entitled to representation, and if so, on what terms, the importance of mentorship in “big law”, and how to tackle problems of diversity and integration.

In this episode, Nicole and Gaela speak with Matthew Stennes, Vice President, Chief Litigation & Investigations Counsel for Medtronic. Our discussion focuses on disputes in the life sciences sector, offers a fresh perspective on arbitration (and even a compelling plug for litigation), thoughts on supply chain issues, exciting strategies for increasing diversity, and a reminder about the importance of facts and science and how they can save lives.

Gaela and Nicole start the New Year off right, sharing tea with Karl Hennessee, Senior Vice President, and Global Head of Litigation, Investigations, and Regulatory Affairs at Airbus. Karl shares his thoughts on intriguing topics including International Arbitration practice in the age of Omicron, who is responsible for diversity (or lack thereof) in international arbitration?, the supply chain debacle, and who would win in a cage match US Litigation or International Arbitration?

Part 1 of 2. Join Gaela, Nicole, and special guest Bart Wasiak, as they get the tea from Anna Bilanová and Jarek  Kudrna, Deputy Head and Head of the International Arbitration and Investment Protection Unit at the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic. Anna and Jarek share their wisdom and insight from the perspective of one of the sovereign legal teams with the most experience handling investment treaty arbitrations. Get the tea on hot issues like transparency, reform in investor-state dispute settlement, intra-EU bilateral investment treaties, and what Anna and Jarek might do with a magic wand.

On this International Women’s Day, join Nicole and Gaela as they interview Dana C. MacGrath, Investment Manager and Legal Counsel at Omni Bridgeway, for the tea on all things dispute financing. Diversity and inclusion issues in international arbitration also make a cameo in this episode, highlighted through Ms. MacGrath’s experience as current president of the Board of Directors of ArbitralWomen.

Part 2 of 2. International arbitration damages experts Isabel Kunsman, Rebecca Vélez, and Yelena Aleksandrovich sit down for another round with Gaela and Nicole to discuss all things quantum.  In Part Two, we get the tea on fascinating concepts like Monte Carlo simulations, the Latin Hypercube, the potential effect that the pandemic might have on valuations, and how international arbitration lawyers might improve their damages game. Teen Talk Barbie even makes an appearance!

Part 1 of 2. International arbitration damages experts Isabel Kunsman, Rebecca Vélez, and Yelena Aleksandrovich sit down with Gaela and Nicole to discuss all things quantum. In Part One, we get the tea on what damages principles and strategies are the most challenging for both attorneys and experts to truly understand and implement. Listen in to get the tea on valuation certainty, market risk, and the importance of independent damages experts. Part 2 will be released on December 14.

Nicole and Gaela sit down with Professor Douglas to hear his thoughts on best practices for counsel and arbitrators alike, as well as the current state of affairs for international arbitration – where it’s been, where it’s going, and how best to ensure it remains relevant and just.